Jesus, Our Perfect Hope: 365 Devotions

by Charles Stanley

January 2

Something New

Behold, I will do something new...will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness.

Isaiah 43:19

Perhaps you 've grow hopeful about something new—whether it 's a new year, the start of a relationship, an exciting opportunity, or something else. Maybe you feel optimistic that you can shake free from your past mistakes and tiresome burdens. But then your heart sinks when you realize that the issues that plagued you December 31 will continue on into January 1 and beyond.

No doubt, that was the way the people of Israel felt as they awaited the Messiah year after year. What they didn 't realize was that even when they couldn 't see the incredible plan the Lord was setting in motion, He was working to fulfill His promises to them in an incredible way they could never have imagines (John 1:12-13).

The same is true for you. God is making a way for you even when you don 't see it. So don 't be discouraged because everything looks the same from one day to the next, your burdens remain, and new opportunities don 't seem to work out. Trust that at the right time, He will make you aware of all He 's done on your behalf.

Lord, thank You for working in the unseen and in unimagined ways to set me free of the things that bind me. Amen.

January 30

Fixed on Jesus

When you read the news headlines or think about the daily struggles you and your loved ones face, it is easy to lose heart. The challenges can certainly seem too overwhelming to overcome.

But that is why Scripture calls you to have a different focus—not looking at the circumstances before you, but having a gaze fixed on Jesus. Why? Because He is greater than whatever is happening to you. Your relationship with Christ opens the door to every blessing the Father has promised in His Word and provides all the resources you will ever need. Jesus is the reason you can have an unshakable, eternal hope that everything is going to be okay, regardles of the situation.

So no matter what you 're facing today, don 't think of it in terms of your strength or knowledge. Instead, consider what Jesus— the all-powerful, all-wise Savior who defeated sin and death on your behalf—can do. Certainly, He is the anchor that will always hold you steady, no matter how severe the storm may be.

Jesus, when I get distracted or overwrought by circumstances, always remind me to look to You. Amen.

My hope is in Jesus because...He is greater than anything I face.

February 11

His Love

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.

1 John 4:16

Read today 's verse again. We know and believe God 's love. Do you realize the incredible love the Father has for you? Do you truly have confidence in it? Many times, our perception of love may be marred because of our past experiences—we may think of it as conditional, having unsustainable requirements, being easily lost, or even a tool of manipulation.

Yet John paints a different picture: "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him" (1 John 4:9 NLT). His is not unattainable or pain-causing love. Rather, the cross is the ultimate expression of God 's care—it is unconditional, generous, healing, and always seeking the best for you.

Friend, you don 't have to be afraid of God 's attitude toward you even when you face difficult circumstances. On the contrary, what 's crucial is that you know and believe that He loves you in increasing measure. Because when you do, you realize that everything that touches your life must first pass through His loving purposes for you, and that even the challenges are sent for your good (Romans 8:28-30).

Jesus, help me to embrace your perfect love and love You more in return. Amen.

My hope is in Jesus because ...He loves me unconditionally.

March 15

The Word of Prayer

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

We know that in the beginning, the Lord spoke the world into creation. "God said, 'Let there be light '; and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). His agent of creation was His Word, and John 1:14–18 tells us that His Word has a name: Jesus.

In Hebrews 7:25, we read that Jesus "lives to make intercession" for us. Think about that. The One who carried out creation is the One who prays for you. But consider what that means—what happens when He speaks out His desire to help you.

The same voice that called the universe into existence is moving people, engineering situations, and orchestrating circumstances so as to carry out His wonderful will for your life. He declares the details, the limits, the solutions of your experiences—all to teach you, to prepare you, and to draw you closer to Him.

Jesus uses His unfathomable wisdom and creative power in order to help you. So when you grow disheartened, remember who your Advocate is. He was there before the beginning, He is God, and He always speaks for your good. Praise Jesus ' holy name.

Jesus, with a word, You make all things possible for me. I trust You and praise You. Amen.

My hope is in Jesus because ...His voice moves the universe.

April 4

He Sees You

"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree."

John 1:48 NIV

Jesus sees you—the real you. If you 've ever felt that people don 't truly understand who you are or what 's in your heart, then know for certain there 's One who does.

This may be surprising to you. It certainly was to Nathanael. John 1:47 reports Jesus saw Nathanael and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" This was astounding to Nathanael, and even more so because Jesus saw him under the fig tree. We are never told what Nathanael was doing there, but apparently, he was having a holy moment—one only observed by heaven. We know this because of Nathanael 's response: "You are the Son of God!" (v. 49). In other words, Nathanael recognized that Jesus saw his inmost being—his heart laid bare.

Jesus sees your inmost being as well. Friend, regardless of how others treat you, you never have to feel unloved, unrecognized, or even invisible because your Savior sees you—your past, present, and future. Jesus knows your hopes, thoughts, fears, struggles, and wounds. And He loves you deeply. So trust that you matter to Him and that He leads you in the best way forward.

Jesus, thank You for seeing, loving, and providing for me. Amen.

My hope is in Jesus because ... He knows me fully and loves me completely.